Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Possession definition

What does Possession mean? Possession in construction practice describes who has physical control of, and the right to occupy and manage, the site (or a section), including the ability to exclude others. It is a descriptive term informed by property law case law on exclusive possession and by the parties’ contract rather than a single statutory definition. Under most UK and Irish construction contracts, the employer grants the contractor possession of the site by an agreed date for possession to enable the works. While in possession, the contractor typically has responsibility for site access and security, care of the works and associated risk...

Ending Rent Act 1977 protected tenancies: notices to quit, Protection from Eviction Act compliance, statutory tenancies and possession grounds (England and Wales)

Published by a LexisNexis Property Disputes expert

Practice notes

FORTHCOMING CHANGE : The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025.

For guidance on the Act’s effect on residential tenancies in England, see Practice Note: Renters' Rights Act 2025—key provisions.

This Practice Note explains:

How a Rent Act 1977 (RA 1977) protected tenancy can be ended, including by serving a notice to quit
The requirements under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977
The grounds for bringing a Rent Act 1977 statutory tenancy to an end

With the Housing Act 1988 (HA 1988) in force, RA 1977 tenancies were replaced by assured tenancies. For more information, see Practice Notes: Assured and assured shorthold tenancies—granting and Assured and assured shorthold tenancies—terminating.

As a result, RA 1977 is generally only applicable to residential tenancies created before 15 January 1989. For more information on how to recognise a Rent Act tenancy, see Practice Note: Residential tenancies—protected tenancies under the Rent Act 1977...

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Web page updated on 27/05/2026

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